Learning Doneness: The Hand Test Method

There is a really easy way to learn how well done your steaks are when grilling over the holy fires. I call it the hand method. I actually learned this method while watching one of those summertime barbeque cookoff shows on the Food Network. This method does actually require physical contact with the steaks, but it delivers a fairly accurate estimation of the doneness of your meat.

This is a visual thing, so see the pictures below:

By touching your thumb to each of your fingers, that meaty portion of the palm just below the thumb gets tougher and tighter as you move along towards the pinky. To use this method, you actually have to put your finger on the steaks, so be careful not to touch it right after you flip, else you'll need some aloe. Just press down in the middle of the steak. Press a couple of times in a couple of different spots. Now compare that stiffness to your hand test.

Now lick off the meaty juices.